Baseball briefs

New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza was out of the lineup for the second game in a row Wednesday night, missing New York's game against the San Diego Padres after being diagnosed with tendinitis in his left wrist.

Vance Wilson started in place of Piazza, who is hitting .285 with 23 home runs and 73 RBIs. Wilson homered Tuesday night in the Mets' 7-2 loss to the Padres.

Piazza's wrist began to bother him before batting practice Tuesday. He took a few swings, decided not to hit, and was scratched from the lineup shortly before the start of the game. He did not swing a bat on Wednesday.

"I thought that after the off-day (Monday), it would feel better," Piazza said. "But I went to hit the throttle, and there was nothing there."

Piazza was treated and diagnosed after Tuesday's game and received further treatment before Wednesday's game. He said he hoped to be able to pinch-hit if needed.

Indians CF Bradley has appendectomy

St. Petersburg, Fla. Milton Bradley underwent an appendectomy and was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.

Bradley was operated on Wednesday at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, where the Indians were playing the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was scratched from the lineup Tuesday night with what the Indians said was stomach discomfort.

He was admitted to St. Anthony's after the Indians' 9-5 win. Doctors recommended surgery after Bradley underwent tests and felt more discomfort Wednesday morning, team spokesman Bart Swain said.

Bradley could return in 3-to-4 weeks.

This was not the Indians' first appendectomy of 2002. Backup infielder John McDonald had an emergency appendectomy in spring training and missed three weeks.

Astros' Lugo finished

Houston Astros shortstop Julio Lugo will be sidelined for the rest of the season following surgery Wednesday to repair a broken left forearm.

Lugo was injured after being hit by a Kerry Wood pitch during Monday night's game at the Chicago Cubs.

Astros' team physician Dr. Tom Mehlhoff put a plate and six screws in Lugo's left ulna bone to insure proper healing.